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The positive impact that stress management has on your health is well worth the effort! Many people depend on massage therapy to work out their aches and pains and to bring them to a state of relaxation. During this Covid-19 era there has been a heightened sense of anxiety and stress and a lack of ability to continue our normal routines of self care that we desire and that we need. As we've discussed in past articles, there are multiple ways to self-massage to calm muscle tension. Although nothing compares to the hands and skills of  a professional body-worker, some relief can be found through self-massage care. As you break out the tennis balls and foam rollers to work out your knots, don't neglect the importance that mindful relaxation has on your health. The benefits are bountiful and lasting! Some mistakenly understand the pursuit of relaxation practices, including massage therapy, to be only a thing of luxury, something that is decadent, a treat to be h...

April is stress awareness month. Common Effects of Stress A lot of common symptoms that are blamed on illness, such as headaches, insomnia, and fatigue, are actually caused by stress. It is important to be aware of how stress is effecting your health, because left unchecked it can lead to worse problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes according to the Mayo Clinic. Our mood and behavior can also be negatively effected by stress. Anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, irritability and sadness just to name a few, can make life miserable. Act Now to Manage Stress Now that you know how bad stress can be to your health and overall wellness, it's time to reap the benefits of managing your stress by setting up your strategic plan for success! Exercise regularly : 30-60 mins of physical activity everyday will help you mentally and physically handle stressful situations. It can literally change the chemistry in your brain to make you feel ...

When pain is felt between the shoulder blades, it would be assumed that there is a problem somewhere in that area, but it could actually be coming from your neck area. Knowing where the pain originates from can help in formulating a treatment plan to alleviate discomfort. Better yet, knowing how the problem started, can help the pain from developing to begin with. Nerves: The Struggle is Real Pain is caused by the nerves becoming entrapped within tight muscles. The area around the neck and shoulders is especially prone to entrapment due to the crowded nerves that run from the neck area down into the scapular (shoulder) area. They twist and turn in tight spaces around and through muscles that run along your spine from the base of your skull down into your shoulder area.  When the muscles become tight and inflamed they further compress and crowd the nerves. That causes the nerves to become grumpy. The grumpiness runs all the way down to the muscles between your shoulder blades. ...

Did you even wonder what you Should or Should Not  Eat and Drink Before and After a Massage? Here are some Guidelines for your next massage: DO: At least 1 1/2 hours before your massage, eat a light meal that is easy to digest, such as fruit, soup, and non-carbonated drinks with natural sugars.  A good snack before your massage is a banana and a hand full of raw almonds. Drink lots of water after your massage.  Add an extra glass or two above the amount of water that you normally drink.  This helps flush out toxins.  Increase your water consumption for the next 24 hours after your massage. A good meal for after your massage is a vegetarian meal, such as steamed or lightly stir-fried vegetables with pasta or rice. DO NOT: Before your massage, avoid eating a heavy meal.  You will feel tired and lethargic if you do. Avoid alcohol before and after massage.  Also avoid drinking caffeine after your massage.  Alcohol and...

Prenatal Massage Prenatal massage being done in a side-lying position Prenatal (pregnancy) massage is customized for the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes leading up to childbirth.  This massage will enhance the functions of joints and muscles, improve circulation and general body tone, and relieve physical and mental fatigue. This gentle massage can ease discomfort associated with pregnancy, and help the mother-to-be prepare for labor.   Massages can be scheduled from the first trimester through childbirth.  A massage session typically lasts for 60 minutes.  The first trimester, you can still lay face up, face down or in a side-lying position.  Specialty pillows are used to make women in all stages of pregnancy comfortable.  During the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, a prenatal massage should only be given in a massage chair or in a side-lying position. Benefits of Pregnancy Massage: Reduces s...

Doesn't this look like fun?!?  Chair Massages Poolside Having a drink of your choice while getting a chair massage - RELAXING!  Is this what you thought chair massage was? Chair massage is an easy way to obtain important health benefits.   As little as 15 minutes of chair massage a week has been proven to lower stress, reduce muscle tension, rejuvenate the mind and body, and increase focus. Workplace Massage Benefits - Good for business Increases focus and mental alertness Reduces stress-induced illnesses Reduces absenteeism Reduces injury Increases productivity Increases energy GREAT way to show associates APPRECIATION and Increase MORALE Chair massage can be also be used for: Bridal and Wedding Parties Parties - Birthday, Anniversaries Conventions/Conferences/Trade Shows Golf Tournaments/Sporting Events Health Fairs As you can see, chair massage is not only FUN and RELAXING; it is also good for your health, both for your b...

The Benefits of Lavender The Most Versatile of all Essential Oils 1)  Fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing - both physically and emotionally Rub 2 - 3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms then inhale the scent to calm the mind Rub on your feet, temples, wrists Use in a diffuser 2)  Cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations To stop bleeding, clean wounds and kill bacteria 3)  Sleep aid Rub a drop of lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow Use in a diffuser 4) Insect bite / Bee sting To stop itching and reduce swelling 5) Minor burns To decrease pain, redness and swelling 6) Eczema / Dermatitis Mix several drops of lavender oil with  coconut oil and use topically on eczema and dermatitis. 7) Nausea or motion sickness Place a drop of lavender oil on end of tongue, around the navel or behind the ears. 8) Dry or chapped skin and chapped or sunburned lips 9) Dandruff Rub a few dr...

Let Us Introduce You To: The Nunn Family - Crystal, Josh and Burkelee Crystal and Josh with Burkelee Meet Crystal and Josh Nunn from Bay Park.  Two young professionals, busy with their careers and family, who value their frequent massages from  Massage Extraordinaire . Besides keeping up with a busy 21 month-old toddler, Crystal and Josh both run and lift weights.  Josh also enjoys pick up soccer games.  Professionally, Crystal is a baby nurse at Sharp Mary Birch and Josh is the Marketing Director at California Western School of Law. They enthusiastically endorse the benefits of massage. "It promotes health from every day wear/tear and facilitates recovery from the workouts we are still trying to sneak into our busy schedules.  Massage is also a much needed relaxation session for the mind as well as the body.   It's like taking a mini vacation every time we get to come in for massage!" Crystal states, "It is great to know whichever ...

Holiday Season - Fun, Busy, Stressful   Get a Massage to Help Reduce your Stress!     The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year.  Take a break for yourself by getting a massage so you can better enjoy this busy time.     WebMD states that  "Constant stress actually becomes distress - a negative stress reaction." Distress can lead to: Headaches Upset stomach Chest pain Elevated blood pressure Sleeping problems The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)  states that massage therapy can be effective for stress relief, both physically and psychologically.    Studies show that massage: Decreases heart rate Decreases blood pressure - systolic and diastolic Relaxes your muscles Increases endorphins - your body's feel good chemical Massage also Benefits (if stress relief was not enough!) : Reduces pain Increases energy levels Improves mental ...

SWEDISH MASSAGE Is it the right technique for you?   What is Swedish Massage ? Swedish massage is the most popular and classic form of the soft tissue techniques.   Tammara giving a Swedish massage outdoors  Swedish massage is often times known as the 'spa' massage.  It tends to be more rhythmic and relaxing than other massage techniques.  Swedish massage is comprised of gliding and kneading strokes.   Benefits of Swedish Massage - Relaxation Reduction of edema Before your massage, your massage therapist will talk to you about what you're interested in achieving from your massage and how you're feeling to determine the right massage technique for you on that day. Massage Extraordinaire is your best resource for  therapeutic massage in the San Diego area! Massage Extraordinare Located at the  San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club 4848 Tecolote Road San Diego, CA.  92110 (619) 275-3270 ...

The Most Popular & Classic Form of the Soft Tissue Techniques YES, SWEDISH MASSAGE --- Is also known as the 'SPA' MASSAGE Most common and best-known type of massage in the West Uses massage oils or lotions to enable SMOOTH movements Rhythmic and Relaxing massage Uses gliding strokes or touch Uses firm yet gentle, constant pressure but NOT deep pressure Extra pressure can be used on areas of specific muscle tension Eases muscle tension Based on anatomy and physiology as opposed to energy work Breaks up muscle knots (or adhesions) For relaxation and reduction of edema, the direction of the movement is toward the heart or in the direction of blood flow For fibrotic areas, a cross-fiber direction is used Various parts of the hand, forearm, and elbow may be used during Swedish massage  Pioneered by a Swedish physiologist Per Henrik Ling at the University of Stockholm Swedish massage is the foundation massage for other massage techniques ( deep tissue massage...

INTRODUCING - Bobby and Shanna McCarron Shanna, Bobby, Maelce and Maxx McCarron If you're a San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club member, you probably recognize Shanna - one of the club's wonderful Personal Trainers and the Group Exercise Coordinator. Shanna and her husband Bobby have been receiving massages for over 15 years ! Their answer as to why they receive massages - "I get massages because I think with all my workouts and daily activity, my body forgets how to relax.  Massage reminds me to breathe and release inner tension that I don't realize I have.  We have also used massage as rehab.  Massage helps loosen muscles that have been injured or overused.  We believe massage helps us recover faster." McCarron Family Sports: Bobby - baseball Shanna - run, weight training, dance Their children: Maelce - competitive cheer; 14 years old; Massage has helped Maelce with her overuse injury from cheer, as well as helping reduce her stre...

Massage Extraordinaire's Clients of the Month - October 2014 Leslie & Karl Bunker We would like to introduce Leslie and Karl Bunker,  who we are happy to feature  as our  October massage clients of the month! They have been receiving massages for more than 25 years.   Their philosophy on massage  is to get massages early and often  with  someone who knows the right way  to take care of you.   They almost always get massages to relax,  but invariably they have  aches and pains  that need to be worked on as well. "We love the personal touch we get at Massage Extraordinaire.   The therapists know us by name and know exactly how we like our massages.   We feel like part of the family every time we come in because we get  to  catch up  on what is going on in each others' lives." Both Leslie and Karl play golf and kayak.  Karl also rides his road bicycle. They both are ...

 Did You Know? SPORTS MASSAGE... Promotes Flexibility to Decrease Risk of Injury Improves Endurance Reduces Post-Workout Recovery Time Offers Balance to Training Regimen Increases Blood Flow Increases Joint Range of Motion Improves Relaxation & Sense of Well-Being Decreases Fatigue & Anxiety   All of the massage therapists at Massage Extraordinaire specialize in Sports Massage and provide therapeutic massage to many athletes in the San Diego area.   www.sandiego-massage.com            

We have the Perfect way to relax before your BIG day... Arrange massages for your wedding/bridal party. It's the perfect way to get together & relax. Call Brenda at (619) 252-2736  to arrange -  Either at your location or at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club: 4848 Tecolote Road San Diego, CA. 92110   Barbara and a recent bridal party the entire wedding party

What is a Swedish Massage? Therapists use smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Relaxation massage usually involves soothing strokes to ease the nervous system and provide an overall sense of calm . Don't you need to relax and have your stress reduced this busy, hectic time  of the year?   Call Massage Extraordinaire for a relaxing massage! (619) 275-3270 San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club 4848 Tecolote Road San Diego, CA. 92110